07/15/2026
Last night’s conversation centered on the question: what should Peru focus on to build a thriving community? While that wasn’t exactly what had been advertised, and the time for real dialogue was limited, there were some consistent messages that came through. I’ll share a photo of the board in the comments so folks can see what was captured.
One thing I heard in the chatter that truly concerned me was that some long‑term residents are considering, or already preparing for, a move to Auburn. Where people choose to live is deeply personal, but it’s hard to ignore the possibility that this “new direction” Mayor Westfall referenced may be contributing. People can feel when the ground is shifting beneath them, and right now many, including Nick and I, are trying to understand where that shift is headed.
Looking at the items written, there were a couple of clear themes - growth, investing, family and youth, infrastructure, and partnerships within the county. These are priorities that my staff and I had already been working towards (in fact we were in the process of scheduling last night’s meeting before I stepped down). These things don’t happen overnight, and they take dedicated staff support. Yet my experience with the council and the vocal community of Peru was a strong and clear lack of support for these types of initiatives. So when those same ideas suddenly reappear as future goals, it raises real questions for me about transparency, consistency, and who gets listened to in the decision‑making process.
Peru can thrive if residents feel rooted, respected, and heard. If people are feeling pushed out and left behind, that is a warning sign masquerading as a “new direction”. I’m interested to see what meaningful steps follow from these ideas and conversations that began last night.
